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Planning applications
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If you propose to develop, subdivide, use land or change the existing use of a property, you should discuss your proposal in detail with council staff. Early discussions will confirm whether permits are necessary and if so, the type of permits that may be required.
If a planning permit is required, it must be obtained before a building permit can be issued, although both applications may be made at the same time.
Many delays in getting a planning permit occur because the information supplied by the applicant is unclear or incomplete. It is in your best interests for your application to be accompanied by thorough plans and statements, which accurately describe your proposal. If you do not provide sufficient detail of your proposal you will be asked for more information, leading to unnecessary delays in the assessment of your application. The application checklists available on this site are a good place to start in collating information to accompany your application to Council.
Pre-application meetings
For major commercial, industrial, subdivision and multi-dwelling development applications, applicants are encouraged to discuss at concept stage, proposals and plans with an officer of Council's Statutory Planning Unit. This will ensure all requirements and issues are addressed in order to ensure the assessment process runs smoothly.
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The council may be required to give 14 days notice of your application. This will be posted to adjoining landowners and occupiers and a sign placed on the site. In some cases, a notice may also be required in The Border Mail depending on the nature of the use and/or development. As an applicant, you are responsible for Council's costs involved in the public notice process including displaying a sign on-site and a notice in The Border Mail, above the standard application fee. You will be notified of this fee upon receipt of application and payment must be made prior to the council issuing a determination on your application.
It is strongly recommended that you discuss your proposal at concept stage with adjoining land owners and occupiers prior to lodging the application to avoid unnecessary objections. If no objections are received, your application will be able to be dealt with promptly. In the case of objections, a mediation meeting may be called to negotiate a satisfactory solution for all parties prior to a determination being handed down.
Referral of applications
Some applications will need to be referred to organisations outside the council such as servicing authorities, government agencies, VicRoads and CFA. Referral authority requirements will be placed on all permits issued.
Consideration of applications
Proposals that meet strategic planning objectives, comply with the Wodonga Planning Scheme and council policy provisions will be dealt with promptly. Where a permit is issued, condtions will be included which must be complied with. It is important that you familiarize yourself with these conditions as the council's approval is conditional on compliance with all permit requirements. If you are unsure of the intent, of any conditions which are imposed on your permit or you would like to dispute conditions imposed in your permit, please contact this office without delay.
In the event that your application is refused, grounds for Council's refusal will accompany your refusal notice. This will explain to you the reasons why your application was refused and to provide you with a basis to work from should you wish to revisit the proposal.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
In the event that you, as either an applicant or objector to a proposal, are not happy with the council's decision, you may contest the determination through VCAT. You are encouraged to consult with the planning officer responsible for the application prior to lodging an application through VCAT as the process can be expensive and time consuming.
Any enquires relating to planning applications and amendments to permits can be made through contact the statutory planning services unit of the council on (02) 6022 9300.
